2nd CD Republicans?

Cannon fodder. If you don't knock Michaud out after 2 years, he's in for life. 2 CD is transfer payment heaven.

Once Baldacci finishes this term, Michaud is waiting in the wings for a Blaine House run. Bet on it.

Who is anyone here backing?

I'll take that bet. Mike knows he is lucky to have the gig that he's got. He won't give it up for a race he might lose.

I agree with Dan on that one

House Speaker John Martin once told a reporter, "If I have power it's because people give me power." That's how I see Rep. Michaud. He can beaten by a candidate who starts early (it may already be too late), campaigns hard and smart, and who offers the 2 CD alternative solutions.

Then there's the money: The National GOP will want to see a viable candidate raise a significant amount of money on his/her own ($100,000?) before they'll pitch in.

skf

You are paying too much attention to "the candidate." The candidate is not going to win an election in 2 CD.

It comes down to "Voters, money, and Party."

1. Voters: The 2 CD is impoverished. Democrats make sure that they vote their wallets. The GOP candidate will be positioned by the Maine dailies as a cold-hearted bastard and Bush's brother.

2. Money: Michaud is awash with national union and lawyer money. Where is the GOP money going to come from?

3. Party: It is devoted to helping the top of the ticket. No help there.

It will take a hell of a candidate to overcome this stuff.

I'll stand by my prediction even if I have to buy Dan Billings lunch sometime in 2010. :D

The Republicans have two years to come up with a viable candidate for the Blaine House who can beat any one of several high-profile Democrats - Michaud, Steve Rowe, John Richardson, etc.

If they - actually we - blow it, then we're in for eight more years of the same old s--t. :cry:

Rowe and Richardson seem to be jockeying for the Blaine House right now. Richardson gave up a lucrative union lawyer practice and Rowe is running around the state giving speeches. Interesting race, already on.

The GOP has its own Democrat running, Mills.

I woul like to see Tardy or Mills make a run.

I'd like to see Doug Thomas make a run. He'd tell the people where the bear shat in the woods.

Peter,

I thought you thought Tardy should be dumped because of the last election?? Now you think he should run for Governor?

I agree, by the way, Tardy will be a great Governor.

2nd CD
the vote last week on the gas tax exposed his limitations

Tardy cant win down here. He will not beat a Harriman, Mills, or a Weston in a primary.

Harriman, Mills or Weston for Governor? Is that what you are hearing? WOW!

no I am saying Tardy can beat them - he couldnt beat a ham sandwich in York or Cumberland county

why do you think tardy can't win in York or Cumberland? He has never run for anything here? Cianchette won the 1st D, why do you believe Tardy can't?

Do you really think Tardy can't beat Mills or Weston down here? What leads you to believe that? Look at the last primary for Governor

as a leader his limitations have been exposed.

Why Mills or Weston, they have voted significantly worse than Josh this session?

I thought this thread was about the 2CD. My bad.

I have not seen the name D'Amboise mentioned on this thread for the 2nd CD. I hear he is considering running again.

Mills vs Michaud would be interesting. Much like the Kevin Raye race, it would be hard to tell who would be considered the more conservative candidate.

Spare us. (D'Amboise)

Hey Bob,

I give him all the credit in the world. He put his personal money where his mouth was, ran as good a campaign as he could without any help from the RNC or the MRP. He invested a lot of his own money and he got 30% of the vote on a 30ish thousand dollar campaign.

The college Republicans were his only outside-his-inner-circle organized support.

He is a heck of a guy, thinks the right way and stands his ground, so yeah ..... lets completely tear him down.

I would match his priorities against Mills, Weston, Raye and the rest every single day. He is a good man and a good American and I would highly doubt he would ever cast a vote that infringes on our individual rights, weakens our national defense, increases our taxes or furthers government intrusion into our lives.

Can the same be said about the others?

The general public doesn't care about how they voted. Only the ultra conservatives on AMG follow the voting records. The Republicans have a great shot at taking back the Blaine House in 2010. Don't put up another Woodcock. A Mills or Weston is the best bet for an R to sleep in the State of MaineGovernor's mansion.

One correction, TM - it isn't only "ultra-conservatives" who follow voting records on AMG. Perhaps a better moniker would be "ultra-politicals."

I see intense political interest from folks of all stripes on here.

Ray,

Scott D'Amboise is a nice enough fellow and thanks to him, the GOP had someone in the party running last time. So are Josh, Mills, Carol, and the rest. To defeat Mike Michaud, another nice enough person, the GOP needs to find a person who can overcome an openly hostile print media and can pour substantial sums of disposable income (or assets) into creating his/her own media to reach the 20 percent in the middle with a message that they can understand and relate to.

No money = loss. Unable to frame message = loss. A late announcement = loss.

The person who would beat Mike Michaud should be shaking hands at Simones' Hot Dog Stand, the Miss Farmington Diner, and every breakfast and lunch bar from St. Francis to Lewiston right now.

That ain't happening.

Here's a Mike Michaud palm card. How do you beat this?

Re-Elect Mike Michaud

Smiling face

- I'm one of you!

- I can get you our "fair share" from Washington

- I'm for guns.

- I protect your Social Security check

- I'm a Franco

- I work hard for the veterans

- I have all kinds of experience

- I am 100% behind the unions

- I'm a good Democrat

Bob you forgot

"I Can Drive A Forklift!"

And carry a lunch pail. :lol:

Bob,

All of what you said may be true, but it seemed from your post to be really critical of D'Amboise. When you consider the resources he possessed, financial, party support, etc. .... I felt he deserved a little more credit and respect.

Town Manager .....

If we elect someone to the Blaine House who has the Republican moniker next to their name, yet does not share the same prioritites, what has been accomplished?

If electing Republicans simply because they are a Republican regardless of the priorities they hold, count me out.

I don't care if they are an ultra-conservative or not, I care if they hold the right priorities. Electing a Republican with the wrong priorities only further destroys this party.

If we keep pushing liberals, the party will not exist in the future. While this may no longer be a party of conservatives, it most assuredly is NOT a party of liberals .... If I am wrong, it will most assuredly die.